Jailed for possessing subversive books
Religious teacher sentenced to five years behind bars for owning materials glorifying terrorism
A religious teacher was yesterday sentenced to a total of five years in jail for possessing three books and 10 photographs that are all associated with the terror group Islamic State.
Muhamad Naseefullah alias Heawian Einie, 48, pleaded guilty before High Court Judge Dato’ Lee Heng Cheong to possessing three physical books entitled ‘Tarbiyah Jihadiyah (Jilid 1-16)’ and 10 photographs in his laptop. Naseefullah who taught at a primary school here, committed the two offences in December 2017.
He, however, only has to serve two and half years’ jail because the sentences are to run concurrently from Dec 1, 2017 the date of his arrest at the Kuching International Airport.
The arrest was made on suspicion that he was a threat to national security. He then led police to recover the books and laptop at his home in Jalan Siol Kandis here around 2.30pm on Dec 8, 2017.
In mitigation, his defence counsel Simon Siah said his client had those offending materials for comparing purposes when doing a research on the terror group Islamic State.
Moreover, the books were sold openly and were accessible and therefore at the time of possessing them his client was not aware they were subversive materials, Siah argued.
He added that his client deserved a lighter sentence as he had contributed to the teaching fraternity for 27 years.
Naseefullah is married with two children and also a bread winner for his parents and siblings.
DPP Aaron Abhilash Paul Chelliah, meanwhile said the accused was sentenced to two years’ jail by a High Court in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 14, 2018 for possessing six photographs and 16 video footage associated with terrorism.
He said the offences were serious and as a religious teacher, he had great influence.
Naaseefullah is charged under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code which carries a a maximum jail of seven years and a fine, upon conviction.